London’s foremost historical site, the Tower has served as castle, palace, prison, arsenal, jewel house and site of execution over its 900-year lifespan.
The oldest part of the Tower of London is the great central keep. Known as the White Tower, it was begun by William I in the 1080s to intimidate his newly conquered subjects; the rest of the fortifications took on their present shape in the late 13th and early 14th centuries.
Begin with an hour-long, highly entertaining guided walk led by one of the Tower’s traditionally dressed Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters). They gleefully relate stories of imprisonment, torture and intrigue – later on you can check out the Prisoners of the Tower exhibition for further gruesome details – while taking you past a few of the 20 towers, the famous ravens (‘only so long as they stay will the White Tower stand’), Traitors’ Gate and the execution site of Tower Green. Here, among others, Henry VIII’s wives Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard lost their heads.
After visiting the adjacent Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula, head for the highlights for most visitors: the Jewel House and the White Tower. Both are well worth the wait.
The former houses the Crown Jewels, many of which date back to the 17th-century Restoration period and are still used by the present Queen and royal family. The White Tower is home to the beautiful 11th-century Chapel of St John. Also highly recommended is a visit to the restored rooms of the medieval palace.
Map Reference 23J 
Tower of London 
0844 482 7777 
Mar–Oct Tue–Sat 9–5:30, Sun, Mon 10–5:30 (last admission 5); Nov–Feb Tue–Sat 9–1:30, Sun–Mon 10–1:30 (last admission 4). Closed 24–26 Dec, 1 Jan 
Expensive 
Café (£), restaurant (£) 
Tower Hill 
15, 42, 78, 100, D1 
Fenchurch Street, London Bridge 
To save time, buy tickets in advance online. Audio guides available